Curiosities

Rare Microscope Slide by Harry Webb – Transverse Section of Mistletoe – c1860

Harry Webb (1816-1866) was a professional mounter who lived in George Street, Balsall Heath, Birmingham England. His initials are embedded in the custom-made decorative slide papers.

A nice transverse section of the mistletoe stem.

There is a brief reference to Harry Webb in the key work by Brian Bracegirdle – Microscopical Mounts and Mounters (page 100) and an unattributed example (Page 39-P). we have this information from a later reviewer who knows their stuff – but we struggle to agree that the example shown in the book is from HW.

Webb’s work featured in several international shows and he is thought to have been awarded at least one prize. He was recommended by top line microscope makers. Unfortunately, something went very wrong and he took his life drinking phenol – which would not be a nice way to go.

Rare maker with definitive slide papers – 165 years old!

$40.00

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40 Patience Games – Bernard Stanley

This super little book came from a series of sometime unusual titles published by Universal Publications, London in the 1960’s.

For your amusement other titles in the series included … Thirty-Two Novelty Dance Moves; Recitations for All; Funeral Formalities and Obligations; Self-Protection; Fun with Matches and Matchboxes etc … we think the world has passed most of these by … but not without some loss.

Soft cover, 89 pages, plus adverts for other peculiar publications. Very good condition and the forty diverse variants of patience well explained often with diagrams as to how to go about them … we have played several and they were fun.

Patience the way it used to be played – not with the ipad but with real cards

$25.00

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Azurite “Sun” – Copper Mineral, the form, Unique to Malbunka Copper Mine near Areyonga, Northern Territory.

A very nice clean example of a decent sized azurite sun with a couple of smaller examples in the usual kaolinite matrix from the Malbunka Mine.

Azurite formed by the oxidation and weathering of copper deposits – Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 and this specific indeed unique “sun” structure formed at depth and with high pressure. Monclinic and comes with a variety of colour depths this one Royal to Dark Blue.

The main sun is 45 mm in diameter and has good crystal definition around its edge. The whole sample weighs 80 gm.

Azurite “Sun” structure unique to Australia.

$100.00

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Direct Vision Spectroscope [Produces Super Clear Spectra] – c1890-1910

A fine example of a direct vision spectroscope no makers mark but likely manufactured by John Browning of London. Browning was the top London maker of spectroscopes in the late 19th early 20th Century and, was the leader in spectroscope development.

Victorian or Edwardian in manufacture. Works very well and produces sublime spectra. Contains a train of five alternating crown and flint glass prisms in order to correct for chromatic aberration. Brass body unmarked and with a complete covering of the original gold lacquer. Plush lined case has some rubbing; the clasp still holds firm.

This design is also known as the “Rainband” spectroscope and was used by gentlemen scientists to detect the spectral bands that appear as water vapour builds prior to a shower of rain. This is the more sophisticated version with a knurled device for altering the slit width and a draw tube for fine focus. cap to protect the slit from dust is original and fits snugly.

Very good condition working spectroscope

$190.00

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Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

An original magic lantern slide showing Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia, by Newton & Co, London. This formed part of a set on Australasia sold in 1913.

Fraser’s Gold Mine is south-west of Southern Cross in Western Australia. Gold was mined here from 1886, discovered by Hugh Fraser. It was the first large scale gold mine in the Eastern Goldfields region if not the colony. Fraser’s Gold Mining Company was floated in 1889, Hugh Fraser given half the shares. Things did not initially go well and further capital was required – Hugh Fraser refused the request and he had control. He was eventually persuaded but not without receiving concessions, security, seat on the Board etc – sound familiar. He died penniless seemingly.

The balance of the history is equally interesting but too long for here. The mining activities were eventually brought together in a “big pit” and was inactive in the St Barbara portfolio. May be the operation sold to Hanking and then on to another Chinese operator – not sure … any help received with thanks

Newton & Co were formed in 1858. In the period 1912-1925 they had premises in Covent Garden.

Standard size circa 3.5 inches or 8cm by 8cm.

Good image of the historically important Fraser’s Gold Mine.

$80.00

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Australian Opal in Coal Matrix – Antique Microscope Slide – W Hemingway – Derby England – c1910

W Hemingway was among a group of thin section microscope slide preparers who specialised in Coal measure inclusions in the North of England at the turn of the 19thC.

This slide is an unusual one for W Hemingway given the Australian subject. And an unusual slide as one could expect the occurrence of opal within coal measures is quite rare and only likely to arise where coal formations are close to if not adjacent to opal fields. There is a hint of coal at Arckaringa north of Coober Pedy … we are not sure where else … so would be interested to hear from anyone with a clue.

Slide is nicely prepared as would be expected of Hemingway [Preparer included in primary reference Bracegirdle – example Plate 21].

Rare slide of a rare occurrence opal in coal – circa 100+years.

$80.00

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Rare Microscope Slide by Harry Webb – Transverse Section of Mistletoe – c1860

40 Patience Games – Bernard Stanley

Azurite “Sun” – Copper Mineral, the form, Unique to Malbunka Copper Mine near Areyonga, Northern Territory.

Direct Vision Spectroscope [Produces Super Clear Spectra] – c1890-1910

Fraser’s Gold Mine, Western Australia – Magic Lantern Slide – by Newton & Co 1913

Australian Opal in Coal Matrix – Antique Microscope Slide – W Hemingway – Derby England – c1910

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